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Last update: Tuesday February 6, 2007 10:36
Stewart Reuben has raised the following issue both directly with me and on the SCCU forum:
"ADJUDICATIONS
As an offshoot from these discussions, it has come to my notice that there are
games still being played which are adjudicated. This includes Essex and Leicestershire
and some Northern events. Organisations are entitled to run events as they wish,
although doing away with adjudications in the 1970s was one of the reasons for
the English Chess Explosion. The ECF Rules make it clear that events where there
is the possibility of finishing with adjudications cannot be graded. The games
must be played to the FIDE Laws of Chess, which certainly do not allow for adjudication
as a way of concluding a game. Also the rates of play make no mention of adjudication.
I realise we are in the middle of a season and thus propose: From 1 September
2007, no games played where the possibility exists for them to be adjudicated
shall be accepted for grading. Another way of putting this would be: From 1
September 2007, only games which meet the regulations concerning grading shall
be graded."
Picking up on Stewart's comments and proposal with regard to adjudications and grading. The ECF adjudication service only receives about 20 adjudications a year (much less than in former years). I assume that a significant number of adjudications are done locally unbeknown to the ECF. There seems to be two issues for the ECF:
1) Why is the ECF providing an adjudication service if is this contrary to the FIDE laws of chess? It seems to me that an adjudication service is essential for the County & District Correspondence Chess Competition and may in some circumstances be necessary for local leagues. So I conclude that the adjudication service should be continued.
2) Should the ECF refuse to accept adjudicated games for ECF grading? My views are firstly that such a rule is difficult or impossible to enforce. Secondly the number of games involved is too few to make it worthwhile taking any action. Indeed adjudications seem to becoming an endangered species. Rather than insisting on the letter of the law, it may be better to encourage leagues to discontinue adjudications. However, I would like to know the views of the chess community at large before determining a course of action.
Chris Majer
Acting Director of Home Chess